Crucial Talks on Anti-Dam Movement Today

The crucial rounds of talks between the organisations protesting the construction of the Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project at Gerukamukh and Group of Ministers (GoM) from Assam Government would be take place today.

The Assam government had earlier invited eight different organizations carrying out anti-dam agitations. These include The All Assam Students Union (AASU), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), All Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU), All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) and the All Deori Students Union (ADSU). Members of civil society and experts are also invited to take part in the talks.

The organisations have welcomed the talks. The KMSS have given assurance and expected for an open and transparent discussion over the issue of the dam and said that all the invitees of the talk, representing different organizations opposing the construction of the dam over Subansiri would raise the same points in the talks.

On the other hand, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and 26 other indigenous organizations held a meeting in Guwahati on Wednesday, a day prior to the talks. After the meeting, a letter was sent to the GoM chairman and State Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi demanding that the other 26 indigenous organizations should also be invited for the talks.

It is to be mentioned that anti-dam protests in north Assam has recently taken a violent shape with regular clashes taking place at various places between the Police forces and anti-dam protestors. The Assam Chief Minister has claimed the protests to be fuelled by the ULFA and Maoists.